Hibiscus plant named Hawaiian Holly

ABSTRACT

A Hibiscus plant named Hawaiian Holly particularly characterized by its scarlet red flower color with a darker red eye, regular flower form, flower 10 cm. in diameter, excellent pot habit, very compact growth, dark green leaves varying from heterophyllus to entire, flower life a single day, easy to propagate, excellent resistance to bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas sp.), excellent shipping tolerance (bud drop resistance).

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus,botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., and referred to by thecultivar name Hawaiian Holly.

Hawaiian Holly, identified as 84-026-004 during the breeding andselection process, originated from a planned cross hybridization betweentwo selected breeding lines in a controlled breeding program in FortMyers, Fla. by Frank C. Moser.

The female, or seed parent is a breeding line designated as code #0005and the pollen, or male parent is a breeding line designated as code#0002.

Hawaiian Holly was discovered and selected as a flowering plant withinthe progeny of the stated cross by Frank C. Moser in July of 1984,outside in ground beds in Fort Myers, Fla.

The first asexual reproduction of Hawaiian Holly was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial plant selection inOctober of 1984 in Fort Myers, Fla. from plants grown outside in groundbeds, by technicians working under formulations established andsupervised by Frank C. Moser.

Horticultural examinations of controlled flowerings of successivegenerations of plants derived from cuttings taken from the originalselection have shown that the unique combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Hawaiian Holly are fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Hawaiian Holly has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature and light intensity.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsthat were grown in Fort Myers, Fla. in a controlled greenhouseenvironment and following a commercial schedule.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Hawaiian Holly, which, in combination,distinguish this Hibiscus as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Scarlet-red flower color, with a darker red eye.

2. Regular flower form, with the flower being about 10 cm. in diameter.

3. Excellent pot habit, very compact growth.

4. Dark green leaves, varying from heterophyllus to entire.

5. Flower lift is a single day.

6. Easy to propagate.

7. Excellent resistance to bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas sp.).

8. Excellent shipping tolerance (bud drop resistance).

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical habit, flower andleaf characteristics of Hawaiian Holly, with colors being as nearly trueas possible with illustrations of this type. Sheet 1 is a colorphotograph of Hawaiian Holly grown as a commercially finished pot plant.Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph showing the variation in leafshape that can characteristically be found on any one plant of HawaiianHolly.

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar incomparison to Hawaiian Holly is the cultivar Moesiana.

Hawaiian Holly is similar to Moesiana in that both cultivars bear smallscarlet-red flowers with a darker red eye. Both cultivars propagateeasily, have dark green heterophyllus leaves and are resistant to buddrop (shipping tolerance).

Hawaiian Holly differs from Moesiana in that its pot habit is morecompact and the plant requires less growth regulator, while Moesiana hasvery vigorous willowy growth requiring a lot of growth regulator tomaintain a compact plant. Hawaiian Holly is very resistant to BacterialLeaf Spot (Pseudomonas), while Moesiana is highly susceptible.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color readings were taken fromgreenhouse grown plants on Jan. 19, 1989. All readings were taken in anoffice under cool white fluorescent lights, facing a west window betweenthe hours of 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M.

Classification:

Botanical.--Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. cv. Hawaiian Holly.

Commercial.--Greenhouse pot crop.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Flower (general):

Size.--10 cm.

Borne.--In axils of leaves, 1 per node.

Form.--Regular single.

Life.--1 day.

Fragrance.--None.

Blooming habit.--Continuously, year round.

B. Corolla (petals):

Texture.--Smooth, veins slightly raised.

Substance.--Medium thick.

Shape.--Rounded.

Color.--Eye: Red 45A. Throat: Pink 51A (due to light reflection asthroat, color appears much darker). Zone: None. Body of petal: Mainveins -- pink 51A. Smaller veins -- Red 43A. Interveinal -- Red 43A.Edge: None.

C. Bud (one day prior to opening):

Size.--5.5 cm.

Shape.--Cigar shaped.

Color.--Veins -- Yellow 2C. Interveinal -- Red 42A.

D. Calyx: Cup shaped, 5 pointed lobes, a single prominent midvein perlobe, membranous.

Length.--3.0 cm.

Color.--Veins -- Green 144A. Interveinal -- Green 145A.

E. Epicalyx: 6-8 pointed, narrow, sword-shaped bracts.

Length.--2.0-2.5 cm.

Color.--Green 137B.

F. Peduncle:

Length.--5.5-6.5 cm.

Strength.--Strong.

Aspect.--Smooth.

Color.--Green 144A.

G. Reproductive organs:

1. Androecium (stamens).--Anthers: Numerous. Filaments: 0.8 cm., Pink52C. Pollen: Moderate. Color: Yellow 13A. Staminal column: Upper 33%antheriferous. Length: 6.0 cm. Color: Pink 52C.

2. Gynoecium (pistil).--Stigma: 5 in number, rounded, discoid, hairy.Color: Red 45A. Style: Length: 7.5 cm. Color: Yellow 5D. Branches: 5 innumber. Color: Pink 52C. Ovary: Rounded. Color: Yellow 4C.

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS

A. Foliage:

Arrangement.--Alternate.

Shape.--Juvenile: Heterophyllus. Mature: Entire, deeply serrate. Color:Dark green 139A.

Petiole.--Length: 4.0-4.5 cm. Aspect: Smooth. Color: Green 137A.

Stipules.--Two per node, shape acicular (needle shaped). Color: Darkgreen 139A.

B. Stem: Smooth, becoming woody with age.

C. Plant habit: Excellent, compact.

D. Breaking action: Excellent.

E. Rooting: Excellent.

F. Growth regulator: Very little required.

G. Low light bud initiation: Good.

H. Shipping tolerance: Excellent.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named HawaiianHolly, as described and illustrated.